Disease diagnosis in horses involves the identification and characterization of illnesses through various diagnostic methods and tools. This process is essential for effective veterinary care and management of equine health. Techniques used in diagnosing diseases in horses include clinical examinations, laboratory tests, imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and radiography, and molecular diagnostics. Blood tests are frequently utilized to assess parameters such as complete blood count and biochemical profiles, which can indicate underlying health issues. Additionally, advancements in genetic testing and biomarker identification have enhanced the ability to detect specific diseases early. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore diagnostic methodologies, their applications, and their impact on equine health management.
Skrabalak DS, Cuddy KK, Henion JD.Micro-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (micro-LC-MS) was utilized to quantitatively determine betamethasone and its major unconjugated metabolite, 6 beta-hydroxybetamethasone, in equine plasma and urine. The advantage of micro-LC-MS over conventional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in corticosteroid determination is illustrated and the reliable, steadfast nature of micro-LC-MS is demonstrated through example.
Pietra M, Guglielmini C, Forni M, Cinotti S.The viscosity of the mucus, its DNA concentration and the size range of the DNA were determined on tracheobronchial samples from 11 horses with lower airway diseases before and after incubation with recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase). The horses were divided into two groups on the basis of the cytology of the samples: group A (five horses) with more than 60 per cent neutrophils and group B (six horses) with fewer than 50 per cent neutrophils. The mean mucus viscosity and DNA concentration in the preincubation samples were significantly higher in group A than in group B, and there wa...
Baum B, Hewicker-Trautwein M, Wohlsein P.A 10-year-old Knabstrupper stallion was euthanatized because of severe dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Postmortem examination revealed diffuse severe alveolar emphysema and chronic fibrosing pleuritis of the caudal lung. Parts of both caudal lung lobes were covered with multiple raised firm gray to yellow plaques. Histologically, these areas consisted of circumscribed pleural fibroses and cysts of metaplastic keratinizing squamous epithelium. Immunohistochemistry revealed intense labeling for cytokeratins 5/6 and 10. In addition, caudal lung lobes were severely affected by a chronic partiall...
Shirer HW, Orr JA, Loker JL.To determine if CO2-sensitive airway receptors are important in the control of breathing, CO2 was preferentially loaded into the respiratory airways in conscious ponies. The technique involved adding small amounts of 100% CO2 to either the latter one-third or latter two-thirds of the inspiratory air in an attempt to raise CO2 concentrations in the airway dead space independent of the arterial blood. Arterial blood gas tensions (PCO2 and PO2) and pH, as well as respiratory output (minute volume, tidal volume, and respiratory rate), were measured in a series of 20 experiments on 5 awake ponies. ...
Işık R.Lactoferrin (LTF), also called lactotransferrin, is an iron-binding protein and member of transferrin family, whereas β-LG is an important milk protein and belongs to the ligand-binding protein family of lipocalins and binds retinol. Beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG) is a major whey protein and it is a member of lipocalins family. β-LG is also known as a major allergen reason of cow milk protein allergy. Yet, no information has been reported about β-LG and LTF genes in donkeys. In this study, the genetic variation of β-LG and LTF genes were analyzed via DNA sequencing in 77 donkeys, which were in...
Gaskin JM, Neal FC, Rubin HL.Precipitin lines not associated with equine infectious anemia (EIA) were observed in routine agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) testing for the infection. The serums which produced these lines were obtained from horses which had been given multiple vaccinations with commercially available cell culture-origin equine virus vaccines as part of a comprehensive herd health program. The lines formed against cell culture-derived, but not spleen-derived EIA viral antigens. Investigation revealed that bovine serum proteins in the vaccines induced precipitating antibodies which reacted with bovine serum pr...
Zicker SC, Rogers QR.Temporal changes, as well as differences in distribution, in concentrations of 24 amino acids in plasma and whole blood of neonatal foals were determined from birth to 2 days of age. In addition, differences in concentrations of amino acids in plasma between mare and foal pairs were determined at birth. Significant (P < 0.05) hypoaminoacidemia existed for 15 amino acids in plasma of foals at birth, compared with mares (paired t-test). Concentrations of 7 amino acids (aspartate, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, phenylalanine, proline) in plasma of foals were higher (P 0.05). S...
Roussel AJ, Lin YC, Strait JR, Modransky PD.Radioimmunoassay for parathyroid hormone (PTH) in equids was performed on blood samples from healthy equids and equids with hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia. The assay was validated for equine carboxy-terminal PTH. Manipulation of serum ionized Ca in healthy equids by infusing Na2 EDTA and CaCl2 produced an expected increase and decrease, respectively, in measurable immunoreactive PTH. Intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation were 2.6% and 11.7%, respectively. The range of PTH valves for healthy mature horse mares and geldings maintained on pasture was less than 0.27 ng/ml to 0.9...
Anthauer K, Mülling C, Budras KD.This study aimed to carry out a comprehensive morphological examination of the structure and ultrastructure of the membrane-coating granules (MCG) and membrane-coating material (MCM) common to all hoof segments as well as segment-specific features in the MCG and MCM regarding their synthesis, structure and biochemical composition. Tissue samples from the hooves of the left front and right hind limb of 20 adult riding horses were used. Samples were preserved and embedded for histological routine methods as well as for histochemical techniques and tracer techniques for light and electron microsc...
Kawahisa-Piquini G, Bass L, Pezzanite LM, Moorman VJ.The role of hoof morphology is increasingly recognized as a factor associated with lameness incidence in performance horses. The primary objective was to evaluate effect of training initiation on hoof unevenness in Quarter Horses (n = 42; 29 2-year-olds, 13 3-year-olds) over 6-months (m) in training (m0, m2, m4, and m6). Horses were objectively assessed for lameness (inertial sensor system) and photographs and radiographs of feet were taken. Hoof measurements were taken (palmar/plantar angles, frog base width/length, toe length/angle, heel length/angle, heel/foot width, wall height/angle), a...
Blanchard T, Fantinati M, Domange C, Priymenko N.The present report describes two novel cases of suspected intoxication with Galega officinalis in 6- and 21-year-old Arabian mares displaying acute respiratory signs. Both animals showed signs of pulmonary edema at physical examination, with the oldest of the two also manifesting severe dyspnea and foamy nasal discharge. The mares were grazing on the same meadow with hay available ad libitum. Botanical analysis of the latter showed traces of the toxic plant Galega officinalis (L.), which has been daily ingested at a dose of around 14 g of dry matter for three days. Based on the respiratory sig...
Havelka B, Skarková A.During the period from 1985 to 1988 we determined 228 strains of streptococci isolated from samples of various sorts of biomaterials, mainly animals. From this set of streptococci we classified 207 strains into serological groups according to the Lancefield classification and about 30% strains into species by means of serological and biochemical methods. Most of the strains were allocated to group C (37.28%) and group Q (17.39%). 89 streptococci strains originated from pigs, 40 strains from horses, 13 from cattle, 12 from dogs, 9 from poultry and 8 from coypu. The other streptococci strains or...
Webbon PM.The radiography of horses on behalf of a purchaser has become an inevitable part of a veterinarian's work. Radiography should, in theory, pose no more problems than a general clinical examination. In practice, difficulties arise when insufficient or inadequate films are taken or the films are misinterpreted. Radiographs of a diagnostic quality need to be taken and interpreted by a veterinarian who is reasonably well versed in radiological interpretation. Occasionally a lesion will be overlooked or misinterpreted and the radiographs will be retained so that the veterinarian's judgement can be c...
Rosenfeld G, Reichmann CE, Jaria LJ, Andrade SO.Hematological studies were developed on two mares and twelve adults castrate sheeps of "Ideal" breed. The animals had been on a pasture formed with Brachiaria radicans Napper for one and two months respectively. This experiment was developed in winter time, so the leaves of the graminea had a yellow-green color. Clinical and hematological observations were made weekly. The typical symptoms of intoxication failed to present as observed in the former investigation when the plant was green (3). The hematological exames showed only for ovines a slight anemia, it was also characterized as being mac...
Cullimore AM, Lester GD, Secombe CJ, Campbell K.A 7-year-old Clydesdale gelding was referred with a history of progressive lethargy and ventral oedema. The horse developed diarrhoea after treatment with antibiotics by the referring veterinarian. History, clinical signs, imaging and laboratory findings were consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy complicated by antibiotic-associated colitis. Progression of clinical signs prompted euthanasia and the antemortem diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was confirmed at postmortem examination. Conclusions: Primary HCM is reported as rare in horses, but specific descriptions are lacking. The ...
Szeredi L, Makrai L, Dénes B.The first objective of this study was to develop an immunohistochemical procedure for rapid detection of Rhodococcus equi in impression smears from affected organs of foals on postmortem examination. The second aim was to demonstrate whether R. equi can be detected in smears of tracheal exudates collected from the same foals using an immunohistochemical method. Impression smears and cryostat and paraffin-embedded sections were made from the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes of three foals (A, B and C) that had died of respiratory disease caused by R. equi, and also from the caudal mesenteric l...
Keller H, Grundmann S.X-rays of 205 horses having navicular disease and having been reexamined up to six times are evaluated. For this, the x-rays of each foreleg are evaluated in the dorsopalmar (Oxspring) and lateromedial view. Additionally to changes of the navicular bone, changes of the distal part of the toe are also assessed. Differences can be found in the radiographic process in view of the limitation of vascular foramina and cyst-like lesions. Vascular foramina with sclerotic rim grow less frequent than poorly defined ones and therefore allow for easier prognostication. Cyst-like lesions with sclerotic rim...
Dudan F, Hirni H.Since 1980 techniques specifically designed to treat human neonatal diseases have also started to be applied to ill or premature equine newborns. These techniques will be described and their application to the most common equine neonatal disorders will be discussed. Such techniques include: post-natal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, exogenous thermal support, administration of broad spectrum antibiotics after diagnostic studies, supplemental oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation, intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy, blood component transfusion and total parenteral nutrition.
Wolf P, Kamphues J.Nutritional disorders in domestic or pet animals depend not seldom on special situations, for example when different influences coincide concerning keeping, housing and offering of feed or water. These lead suddenly to high-risk situations, that can cause sometimes the death of the animal. The following case report deals with two ponies, that were kept on a so-called "petting zoo" and showed repeatedly colic symptoms (always after a weekend). During surgery in the stomach light yellow balls were found, that can be explained by ingestion of 1.0 to 1.5 kg wheat. This cereals consist--depending o...
Costa LR, Santos IK, Issel CJ, Montelaro RC.Cardinal features of equine infectious anemia (EIA) include fever, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia during the acute phase of the disease, and cachexia and anemia seen during the chronic phase. These signs are thought to result from the release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha. In order to determine if TNF-alpha has a role in the pathogenesis of acute EIA and vaccine-induced disease enhancement, we measured plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha in ponies immunized with virus enriched major core protein-p26 and/or experimentally infected with EIAV. Naturally infected inapparent EIA...
Wyant LA.The Internet is a fast-growing technology that allows information (text as well as images) to be shared across the world in an instant. As computer systems, software, and Internet services become less expensive options, the world becomes more experienced and comfortable with these technologies. In the foreseeable future, equine veterinarians are likely to be better educated about diseases and treatments, better connected with specialists for consultations on difficult cases, able to respond to client communications more efficiently, able to accurately educate clients, and able to communicate w...
Kau S, Motter KS, Moser VJ, Kunz JR, Pellachin M, Hartl B.Incisor malocclusions are common in horses. As yet, an evidence-based understanding of incisor occlusal surface angle dynamics and normocclusal range is missing. Orthodontic measuring devices could help unravel this information objectively but imply measurement validation. We evaluated intra- and interexaminer variability of repeated sagittal and transversal incisor occlusal surface angle measures using a commercial orthodontic gauge device (). Five examiners (two experienced, three inexperienced) measured six cadaver heads on 2 consecutive days in a blinded block-randomization design, resulti...
Bosch G, van Duijkeren E, Bergwerff AA, Rijkenhuizen AB, Ensink JM.Ceftiofur concentrations in an infected and uninfected environment were compared and the efficacy of locally administered ceftiofur was evaluated in an experimental infection with Staphylococcus aureus in tissue cages. Eight ponies had tissue cages (TCs) implanted s.c. on each side of the neck. Into one of the cages 150 mg of ceftiofur was administered and fluid samples were taken to determine ceftiofur concentrations. After 1 week the other TC was infected with S. aureus and subsequently treated with 150 mg ceftiofur administered locally into the TC once daily for 21 days. Samples of fluid we...
Graham S, Solano M, Sutherland-Smith J, Sato AF, Maranda L.Disorders of the stifle are a common cause of lameness in horses yet the accuracy of scintigraphy for diagnosis of stifle conditions is controversial. The aim of retrospective cross-sectional study was to determine the diagnostic sensitivity (Se) of bone scintigraphy in detecting stifle disease and to determine if two orthogonal scintigraphic images improve diagnostic Se. Horses that underwent scintigraphic examination during a two-year period were included. Horses were divided into two groups: group 1 (N = 23) had lameness that was localized to the stifle by intra-articular analgesia and grou...
Fitzgerald DM, Pollitt CC, Walsh DM, Sillence MN, de Laat MA.The oral glucose test (OGT) is a useful tool for diagnosing insulin dysregulation (ID) and is somewhat repeatable in ponies under consistent management. This study aimed to determine whether the insulin and incretin responses to an OGT in ponies differed after short-term access to fertilised pasture, compared to unfertilised pasture, by using a randomised, repeated measures study design. Sixteen mixed-breed ponies were classified as severely insulin-dysregulated (SD; post-prandial insulin ≥80 μIU/mL) or not severely insulin-dysregulated (NSD; post-prandial insulin < 80 μIU/mL) using an O...
Mini-myoglobin (mini-HHMb) is a fragment of horse-heart myoglobin (HHMb) considered to be the prototype of the product encoded by the central exon of the HHMb gene. For this reason, mini-HHMb has been studied extensively showing that carbonylation and oxygenation properties of the ferrous form are similar to those of the full-length protein, while kinetics and thermodynamics of azide binding to the ferric form are significantly different from those of HHMb. To analyze the structure-function relationships in mini-HHMb and the role of conformational fluctuations in ligand accessibility, the mole...
Oosterlaan-Mayer B, Back W, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.All horses and ponies with laminitis treated at the Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, between 1995 and 1998 were analysed retrospectively (n = 152). Based on the results of this study and on the world-wide knowledge on laminitis a standardised treatment protocol was adopted in 1999. Fifty-eight patients have been treated for laminitis between 1999 and 2001 following the treatment protocol. Compared to our hospital-population (orthopaedic patients), mares and ponies are at higher risk developing laminitis, but the prognosis does not differ betwee...
Eguchi M, Kuniyasu C, Kishima M.The passive hemagglutination (PHA) test was improved to enable the detection of antibodies to Taylorella (Haemophilus) equigenitalis in the sera of mares. Horse red blood cells (RBC) fixed with glutaraldehyde were compared with similarly treated RBC of a cow, pig and sheep for the PHA test. The horse RBC were superior to those of the other animals tested in detecting mares affected with contagious equine metritis (CEM). A PHA test using these cells as indicator and an antigen prepared from T. equigenitalis by sonication following treatment with hyaluronidase was the most satisfactory in terms ...
Bello TR.A controlled test was performed to titrate the anthelmintic dosage of dienbendazole in 24 mixed-breed ponies naturally infected with Strongylus vulgaris, S edentatus, and small strongyle species, as determined by parasitic egg and larval counts in feces. Comparison of results of treatment was made among 3 dienbendazole dosages--2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of body weight--and a gum (excipient) mixture given by nasogastric intubation. All ponies were euthanatized and necropsied at 7 or 8 days after treatment. Trichostrongylus axei, Habronema muscae, S vulgaris, S edentatus, small strongyles, and Oxyuri...
Warlick LM, Léguillette R, Kogan C, Gold JR, Bayly WM.Diagnosis and assessment of severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) relies on postexercise visualization of fresh blood in the airways via tracheobronchoscopic examination (TBE) and/or counting erythrocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALFRBC). Determining the BALFRBC is more sensitive than TBE but its usefulness is hampered by the need to have BALFRBC counted at a laboratory. We explored the feasibility of evaluating the severity of EIPH by using a color chart comprised of five shades of red and matching those colors with the color of BALF immediately following collectio...
